Koh Lanta to Bangkok

How to Get From Koh Lanta to Bangkok

3Options
3h 50mFastest
$28From
MaartenAbegailWritten by Maarten · Reviewed by Abegail

Train + Minivan · Flight + Minivan · Bus

Koh Lanta is a laid-back Andaman island, 701 kilometres (436 miles) southwest of Bangkok. Its southern tip is a national park, with quiet beaches strung along the west coast. Flying is the quickest way to get from Koh Lanta to Bangkok, taking 3h 50m - 5h 10m. By land, the train is the cheapest option at $28 (950 THB), and the journey takes 15h 30m - 21h. The bus costs more and takes about as long.

DISTANCE

Distance from Koh Lanta to Bangkok

Koh Lanta and Bangkok are about 701 km (436 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 829 km by road. The quickest way to get from Koh Lanta to Bangkok is by taking the flight + Minivan, which takes around 3h 50m - 5h 10m.

~701 km
Straight-line distance
~829 km
Route distance
3h 50m
Fastest
Map of Koh Lanta – Bangkok

3 ways to travel from Koh Lanta to Bangkok

There are three ways to travel from Koh Lanta to Bangkok. You can choose between the train + minivan, flight + minivan, and bus. The journey takes 3h 50m – 21h and the quickest way is by flight + minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train + minivan with tickets starting at $28 (950 THB).

Train + Minivanfrom$2815h 30m – 21h·Via Suratthani6 options to bookTrain + MinivanVia Suratthani15h 30m–21h$28Cheapest

Koh Lanta to Bangkok by Train + Minivan

The train is not the fastest option but it’s another good alternative if you want to travel at night. Because Koh Lanta doesn’t have a railway station, you should travel to Surat Thani first.

Step 1: Koh Lanta to Surat Thani by Minivan

6h – 9h 30m · $21 (680 THB)

Phantip Travel is one of the most popular companies on this route and it also offers free pick-up from your hotel to bring you to the terminal. The Phantip minivans have departures at 08:00 and 12:00 and the travel time is 6h - 9h 30m.

You can book a minivan transfer from Koh Lanta directly to Surat Thani Train Station from the comfort of your hotel for as low as $21 (680 THB). From Surat Thani Train Station, you can board your train going to Bangkok.

Jijie Tour and Travel · Standard$21
6h
Koh Lanta Hotel Transfer → Surat Thani Kaset 2 Market
06:0007:0008:00
Tickets
Sapthaweephol Tour and Travel · Standard$21
9h 30m
Koh Lanta Transfer → Sapthaweephol Surat Thani Office
11:00
Tickets
Krabi Sea Pearl · Standard$22
6h
Koh Lanta Hotel Transfer → Surat Thani Town Phantip Travel Office
07:30
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
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Tickets sold on Bookaway

Booking tip

You also have the option to book a transfer from Koh Lanta to Surat Thani with one of the local agencies. Prices are probably a bit lower, but we prefer booking online via BookAway as they offer great customer service.

Step 2: Surat Thani to Bangkok by Train

9h 20m – 11h 30m · $7.80 (260 THB)

From the Surat Thani Train Station, it will take around 9h 20m - 11h 30m until you reach your stop at Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok.

We recommend booking 2nd class sleeper trains with air-conditioning to have a more comfortable trip.

Thai Railway · Third Class Seat Fanfrom$7.80
10h 15m – 11h 22m
18:3219:3120:23
Tickets
Thai Railway · Second Class Seat Fanfrom$13
10h 35m – 10h 42m
18:3220:2320:55
Tickets
Thai Railway · Second Class Seat$19
9h 20m
18:25
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
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Tickets sold on Bookaway

Booking tip

We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you're eying the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.

You can directly book your ticket on the links provided. For a more detailed description, read our page about Surat Thani to Bangkok.

Flight + Minivanfrom$333h 50m – 5h 10m·Via Krabi8 options to bookFlight + MinivanVia Krabi3h 50m–5h 10mFastest$33

Koh Lanta to Bangkok by Flight + Minivan

The nearest airport to Koh Lanta is in Krabi. If you prefer to travel by plane from Koh Lanta to Bangkok, you have to head to Krabi first.

From Krabi, you can take a 1.5-hour flight to Bangkok.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Step 1: Koh Lanta to Krabi by Minivan

2h 20m – 3h 40m · $9.50 (320 THB)

Bus Cooperative of Krabi offers a minivan transfer from your hotel in Koh Lanta to Krabi Airport. The journey takes 2h 20m - 3h 40m and the ticket cost starts at $9.50 (320 THB).

Carefully compare the flight schedules to the minivan schedules from Koh Lanta before booking any of the two.

Goodluck Lanta · Regional 13pax$9.50
2h 20m – 3h
2 pickup points → Krabi Airport
07:2008:00
Tickets
Goodluck Lanta · Regional 13pax$9.50
2h 30m – 3h 10m
2 pickup points → Krabi Bus Terminal
07:2008:00
Tickets
Jijie Tour and Travel · Standard$10
2h 30m
Koh Lanta Hotel Transfer → Krabi Airport
06:0007:0008:00
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
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Tickets sold on Bookaway

Step 2: Krabi to Bangkok by Flight

1h 30m · $22 (730 THB)

There are numerous flights going to Bangkok from Krabi every day.

If you book early, you can find the lowest-priced tickets, starting from $22 (730 THB). There are several low-cost carriers such as Air Asia, Thai VietJet Air, and Thai Lion Air that depart from Krabi Airport.

After 1.5 hours, the flight will land at either Don Muang Airport (DMK) or Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

For the best ticket price, check the Skyscanner link below.

Stations

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Busfrom$3413h 30m – 18h 30m·Via Krabi12 options to bookBusVia Krabi13h 30m–18h 30m$34

Koh Lanta to Bangkok by Bus

Travelling by bus takes much more time than flying, but can save you some money when flights get expensive.

If you want to travel this journey by bus, we suggest booking a night bus from Koh Lanta to Bangkok, so you can sleep for the largest part of the journey and be ready to explore the city upon your arrival.

Koh Lanta to Bangkok

Travel Plus · Express$37
18h
Koh Lanta Transfer → Khao San Road
12:00
Tickets
Travel Plus · VIP 32 Seats$41
18h
Koh Lanta Transfer → Khao San Road
12:00
Tickets
Raja Ferry · Express$43
17h
Koh Lanta Saladan Pier → Khao San Nara Travel
13:00
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
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Tickets sold on Bookaway

Booking tip

If you're not keen on travelling by ferry and bus for 13h 30m - 18h 30m straight, you can also split your journey by booking separate tickets: first to Krabi — where you can stretch your legs or even spend a night — before taking another bus to Bangkok.

Step 1: Koh Lanta to Krabi by Bus or Minivan

2h 20m – 3h 40m · $9.50 (320 THB)

There are two companies that can take you to Krabi from Koh Lanta: Jijie Tour and Travel and Good Luck Lanta Tour.

Jijie Tour and Travel offers free pick-up from any hotel in Koh Lanta. The earliest departure is 06:00 in the morning.

Good Luck Lanta Tour operates on this route for a cheaper price starting $9.50 (320 THB) however, the schedule is only once every other day. The bus departs from Saladan Pier which is just 25 minutes away from the centre.

Goodluck Lanta · Regional 13pax$9.50
2h 20m – 3h
2 pickup points → Krabi Airport
07:2008:00
Tickets
Goodluck Lanta · Regional 13pax$9.50
2h 30m – 3h 10m
2 pickup points → Krabi Bus Terminal
07:2008:00
Tickets
Jijie Tour and Travel · Standard$10
2h 30m
Koh Lanta Hotel Transfer → Krabi Airport
06:0007:0008:00
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Tickets sold on Bookaway

Booking tip

You can also book a van transfer from Koh Lanta to Krabi Bus Terminal at one of the local travel agencies or via your hotel.

Step 2: Krabi to Bangkok by Bus

11h – 15h · $25 (830 THB)

Transport Co. Ltd and Lignite Tour are the most popular bus companies operating from Krabi to Bangkok.

Both terminals are about 10 km from Bangkok city centre. If you will ride a taxi, it will only take around 20-30 minutes to reach the city centre.

Travel Plus · Expressfrom$25
14h – 14h 50m
3 pickup points → Khao San Road
15:1015:3016:00
Tickets
Lignite Tour · Economy$25
11h – 12h
Krabi Bus Terminal → Bangkok Bus Terminal Southern (Sai Tai Mai)
16:0016:30
Tickets
Montanatip Tour & Travel · Express$27
13h
Krabi Sea Pearl Travel → Ratchadamnoen Road
16:00
Tickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To
Via

Tickets sold on Bookaway

Booking tip

We suggest booking the night bus to save more time and also save a night on accommodation.

Reach out to our Community

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STAY

Our favourite places to stay in Bangkok

Bangkok is a big and bustling city with each neighbourhood offering something different to the next. Covering nearly 1600 km² and offering over a thousand accommodation options, it can be slightly daunting picking where to stay. Here is a quick rundown of our favourite areas to stay in Bangkok:
  • Khao San Road — is one of the most famous areas in Bangkok, known for its party reputation. This area attracts a lot of backpackers that are looking for cheap accommodation and a place to party.
  • Sukhumvit — has a more relaxed nightlife, centred around sophisticated restaurants and rooftop bars as opposed to travellers dancing on tables. It’s a great jumping-off point to explore the jam-packed city, thanks to the good connections via public transport.
  • Riverside — along the Chao Phraya River, you'll find an area rich in history and culture, hosting many of the popular sights of Bangkok, including the Royal Palace and Wat Pho – the Reclining Buddha.
Check out our favourite accommodations in Bangkok:
dusitD2 Samyan
Treat Yourself

dusitD2 Samyan

dusitD2 Samyan is one of the most unique hotels in Bangkok with its tiered appearance overlooking the city. You can take a refreshing dip in their sky swimming pool and enjoy the panoramic views. Or head to the gym and take them in whilst working up a sweat. 

The floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel create a bright and modern feel. The rooms are stunning, and decorated to an extremely high standard. This is one of the best hotels in Bangkok. 

  • One of the coolest buildings in Bangkok
  • Rooftop swimming pool
  • Onsite gym
  • Bright and modern rooms

King rooms start from $110 (3,700 THB) per night.

Check availability
The One Smart Living
Treat Yourself

The One Smart Living

The One Smart Living offers incredible value for money. The rooms are beautiful and feel extremely luxurious. You won't want to leave your room it's so nice!

It's a great choice if you want to be close to the airport, but not so close that you're constantly hearing planes above your head. The staff are incredibly helpful and super friendly. It's hard to fault this place.

  • Great value for money
  • Close to the airport
  • Helpful staff
  • Beautiful rooms

Double rooms start from $50 (1,680 THB) per night. 

Check availability
Naga Residence
Mid-Range

Naga Residence

Naga Residence feels less like a hotel and more like a home — just a very beautifully designed home that's exceptionally clean. The rooms are very spacious and all of them have a private balcony overlooking the city. 

There's also an onsite gym, garden and terrace area for you to enjoy. And when you venture out of the hotel there are plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes nearby. 

  • Huge rooms
  • Exceptionally clean
  • Private balcony
  • Onsite gym

Double rooms start from $37 (1,240 THB) per night.

Check availability
Phranakorn-Nornlen
Mid-Range

Phranakorn-Nornlen

It will be hard to find another hotel in Bangkok like Phranakorn-Nornlen. This hotel is like a piece of art, with every room decorated differently and boasting a unique theme. Make sure to pick your room wisely. 

The staff takes your stay here to another level. They are incredibly friendly and helpful. They'll give you great recommendations for the local neighbourhood which is full of cosy cafes and local restaurants. 

  • Unique design and rooms
  • Incredible staff
  • Nice local neighbourhood
  • Very clean

Double rooms start from $33 (1,120 THB) per night.

Check availability
Greenery Hostel
Budget

Greenery Hostel

As you've probably already guessed, Greenery Hostel has a green theme both inside and outside. It actually creates a really tranquil vibe inside a busy city. 

The rooms are simple but great value for money. Plus there are nice chill-out spaces throughout the hostel with a swing, games and comfy chairs. It's in a great location, close to lots of Bangkok's attractions. 

  • Great value for money
  • Relaxing chill-out areas
  • Good location
  • Free cancellation

Private rooms start from $21 (710 THB) per night.

Check availability

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Bangkok?

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most visited cities in the world. There’s something about the constant buzz and energy floating through its streets at all hours of the day, giving it the name of the city that never sleeps!

Its main attractions include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. But ancient temples aren't the only reason people flock to this vibrant city. From jam-packed shopping areas to mouthwatering street food and the wild nightlife of Khao San Road, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Koh Lanta to Bangkok, roughly 701 kilometres (436 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $28 (950 THB). The quickest trip takes 3h 50m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Koh Lanta to Bangkok?

The distance from Koh Lanta to Bangkok is 701 kilometres (436 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Koh Lanta to Bangkok?

The fastest way to get from Koh Lanta to Bangkok is by flight and takes 3h 50m - 5h 10m.

What is the cheapest way to get from Koh Lanta to Bangkok?

The cheapest way to get from Koh Lanta to Bangkok is by train with ticket costs starting from 950 THB.

About the Authors

Maarten
Maarten

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.

Abegail
AbegailReviewer

Travel Writer

Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She's loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand's beaches also have a special place in her heart.

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